SIA secures Interpol Red Corner Notice against Hizbul terrorist
Case relates to 2013 terrorist attack in Hygam, Sopore, in which four J&K Police personnel were killed
The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday said it has achieved a major breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism efforts by securing an Interpol Red Corner Notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in connection with the 2013 Tarzoo (Hygam) terror attack case.
In a statement, the agency said the Red Corner Notice marks a significant milestone in the investigation and will facilitate international law enforcement agencies in locating, detaining and initiating legal proceedings for Kandoo’s extradition to India to face trial.
Officials said the case relates to the April 26, 2013, terrorist ambush at Peer Mohalla in Hygam, Sopore, where heavily armed militants attacked a police party, killing four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel in what the agency described as one of the most serious terrorist strikes against security forces during that period.
According to the SIA, the case was initially registered at Police Station Tarzoo in Sopore and was transferred to the agency in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.
Following an extensive probe involving the collection and analysis of evidence, examination of witnesses and reconstruction of the conspiracy, the SIA completed the investigation, invoked additional offences and filed a comprehensive chargesheet before the competent trial court in July 2024 against six accused, the statement said.
Officials said that during the course of the investigation and subsequent operations, two accused—Tariq Ahmad Mir of Kalamabad, Handwara, and Qayoom Najar of Batapora, Sopore—were killed in separate encounters with security forces. Three others—Javid Ahmad Mattoo of Sopore, Rouf Najar of Sopore and Ahmadullah Malla of Dalal Mohalla, Srinagar—have been arrested and are currently facing trial.
According to the agency, the sixth and principal accused, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, is absconding and is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan.
A resident of Kralteng, Sopore, Kandoo has been an active member and commander of the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen since 2010. Owing to his sustained involvement in terrorist activities, he was notified as a Designated Individual Terrorist by the Government of India in October 2022.
The SIA said its investigation conclusively established Kandoo’s central role in the Hygam terror attack and uncovered his involvement in a wider network of terrorist activities.
“Besides the present case, he is wanted in at least 10 other terror-related cases involving terrorist attacks, targeted killings resulting in the deaths of more than 15 persons, arms and ammunition smuggling, and narco-terror financing. Despite sustained efforts by law enforcement agencies, he continued to evade arrest,” the statement said.
The agency described the issuance of the Interpol Red Corner Notice against Kandoo as a significant operational and investigative achievement for SIA Kashmir.
